Experts: Diet guidelines offer good start, but create confusion

Stephanie DiRocco, clinical nutrition manager for Sodexo at HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster, says diet and exercise go hand-in-hand, and moderation in the foods we eat and nutrients we consume is very important. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / ASHLEY GREEN

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With the recent release of new government dietary guidelines, two local experts say they are a good way for people to start living healthier but they can also lead to confusion about the best foods to eat.

"(The dietary guidelines) give people recommendations. They might not be able to follow it exactly, but they at least have a guide," said Donna Dimarzio, owner of Curves in Leominster.

The new dietary guidelines were released last week by the federal government.

The guidelines, which are renewed every five years, are meant to provide consumers with recommendations to have a healthier and "nutritionally adequate diet" according to Stephanie DiRocco, clinical nutrition manager for Sodexo at HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster.

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DiRocco said it recommends a healthy eating pattern, which can be adapted for people to enjoy food that meets personal and traditional preferences.

DiRocco said the guidelines are based on the most current evidence and research done to help Americans live healthier lives.

"The problem is they change so frequently it's hard to follow them," said Dimarzio, "which leads to confusion."

When it comes to weight loss and weight management, said Dimarzio, many people fail to realize they need to eat food. People restrict their calories so much that they put their bodies into a state in which they're not burning nutrients efficiently.

Portion control is another concern, said Dimarzio.

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She said people who are on the low-calorie programs think they can eat as much as they want because something might only be 50 calories per serving.

"But if you have five (servings) of them, it's no longer 50 calories," she said.

Much of the advice included in the new guidelines will sound familiar and remains unchanged from 2010. For instance, there's a focus on consuming more fruits and vegetables, more fiber and whole grains and less sodium.

EAT MORE OF THIS: The government's dietary guidelines call for an increase in whole foods, like vegetables.

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However, one of the more controversial aspects of the new guidelines is their stance on the consumption of red meat.

When the guidelines were released, there was kickback from the American Cancer Society because there weren't specific recommendations to cut back on red meat, according to a report by CNN.

In 2015, the World Health Organization declared that processed meats such as bacon and hot dogs cause cancer, as does consumption of red meat.

DiRocco said while the guidelines don't specifically pinpoint a reduction in red meat, they do recommend lowering the intake of calories from saturated fats to less than 10 percent.

EAT LESS OF THIS: Guidelines say lean meat is OK, but Americans should reduce calories from saturated fats. AP Photos

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"Poultry, fish, nuts and seeds are still recommended," said DiRocco, "It's correct it doesn't directly state reducing the amount of red meat but it does encourage limiting the amount of saturated fats consumed."

Dimarzio said one of the biggest problems she sees at Curves is women aren't eating what they should be for the activity that they are doing.

She said they need more protein to help build muscle mass, which decreases with age.

As a person ages, diet and exercise become more important to living a healthy life, Dimarzio said.

DiRocco said diet and exercise go hand-in-hand, and moderation in the foods we eat and nutrients we consume is also very important.

"There isn't a food or food group we should be avoiding," said DiRocco.

DiRocco said HealthAlliance will be changing its menu to meet the new criteria.

"The hospital will comply and implement the guidelines as recommended by the (U.S. Department of Agriculture). So we will ensure that we are promoting the same message that the guidelines recommend," said DiRocco.

Diets change throughout a person's life, said DiRocco. If a person is trying to maintain a healthy weight, gain weight, or if a woman is pregnant or breast feeding, nutrition is important.

DiRocco said she is against the word "diet" as a way to lose weight. She said the word implies something that you start but that will eventually have an end.

Eating healthier is a lifestyle change and the "fad diets" that are out there can have people missing out on important nutrients, said DiRocco.

With the recent Boston.com interview with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's personal chef, some people might be tempted to try the athlete's diet, DiRocco said, but it's important to remember Brady's diet is partly determined on his profession. There are some foods that he should be eating more of than others because his strength is part of his job, she said.

"The best way to limit confusion is to meet with a registered dietitian," said DiRocco. "Working with a trained professional one-on-one would help an individual meet their nutrition goals."

Follow Rebecca Leonard on Twitter @beccanicole1478.

Highlights of new guidelines

New recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services and United States Department of Agriculture

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